Nursing slip

ABSTRACT

A nursing slip and method of use include a material formed in a conical shape to conform to the shape of a breast. The nursing slip includes a central opening for passage of the nipple through the nursing slip. The central opening surrounds the areola of the breast. A nursing mother locates the nursing slip around the breast and positions it to surround the areola. The nursing slip is concealed under the clothing of the mother and bra. To nurse an infant, the mother exposes the areola and nipple to the infant. The nursing slip remains to cover the breast from observers and provide a level of modesty in public.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/435,834, filed 18 Dec. 2016. The information contained therein is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to a slip of material for nursing mothers, and more particularly to a nursing slip that partially conceals the mother's breast during nursing without also covering the infant.

2. Description of Related Art

Currently, nursing covers lack minimalistic qualities and hide the entire nursing process. Often, mothers do not wish to hide the child, or the feeding act, however, they desire personal privacy of the body for comfort when nursing in public. Nursing covers typically lack discreteness. Furthermore, nursing covers can lead to physical discomforts, for both mother and child, such as feelings of being overly hot or claustrophobia for infant.

Although strides have been made, shortcomings remain. It is desired that device be provided that provides the discrete minimalistic qualities while breast feeding an infant while maintaining an uncovered infant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The nursing slip is a contoured nursing cover that covers the flesh of nursing breast with open access to the areola. It offers minimal coverage to nursing mothers. It is an object of the present invention to have a nursing slip that only covers the mother, as opposed to mother and child, thereby removing or decreasing current discomforts for both the infant and mother. The nursing slip is a discreet cover. It another object of the present invention that the nursing slip support the beauty of breastfeeding while maintaining personal modesty wishes of the mother. The slip may include snaps, straps, or securable devices and can be secured and repositioned within most chosen bra-like devices.

Another object of the present invention is that the nursing slip be easily positionable and adaptable to size changes in the nursing breast. The nursing slip is made of stretchable material that can adjust to size variations related to engorgement and feeding of the baby. The nursing slip can be secured with an attachment member or by placement under a portion of the bra of the mother. Adjustment may occur by tugging or sliding. Ultimately the invention may take many embodiments and overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the prior art.

The more important features of the nursing slip have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and to ensure that the present contribution to the art is appreciated. Additional features of the nursing slip will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Many objects of the nursing slip will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the system in detail, it is to be understood that the nursing slip is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The nursing slip is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the various purposes of the nursing slip. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present nursing slip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a nursing slip according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mother nursing an infant with the nursing slip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the nursing slip of FIG. 1 around a breast.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the nursing slip of FIG. 1 around a breast and secured within a bra.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a nursing slip of FIG. 1 secured within a nursing bra.

While the device and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the assembly described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

The device and method in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems discussed previously. In particular, the nursing slip is a simple, small, contoured nursing cover that offers minimal coverage to nursing mothers. It includes a small piece of material that rests against the nursing breast and provides coverage around the breast with open access to the areola. The nursing slip is placed or secured over the nursing breast and selectively secured with either an attachment member or via contact with a bra. These and other unique functions and features of the nursing slip are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The slip and method will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the assembly may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described.

Referring now to the Figures wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. The following Figures describe the nursing slip of the present application and its associated features. With reference now to the Figures, an embodiment of the nursing slip is herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the drawings, a front view of the nursing slip is depicted in FIG. 1 and a perspective view of a mother nursing an infant while wearing the nursing slip of the present application is depicted in FIG. 2. The nursing slip 101 is a contoured nursing cover that covers the flesh of nursing breast. Slip 101 only covers the breast of the mother so as to maintain discreteness of the mother while not inhibiting the infant. The infant is free to be covered or uncovered as the mother sees fit. Slip 101 removes or decreases current discomforts for the infant and/or mother. The slip 101 is sized to remain at least mostly concealed by the bra/nursing bra of the mother when feeding is not being performed. The covers may comfortably remain within most nursing bras and nursing tank tops or be removed and stored easily. These covers can be concealed under clothing with ease. Slip 101 supports the beauty of breastfeeding while maintaining personal modesty wishes and the freedom to dress as the mother pleases.

Slip 101 is made from one or more layers of material (i.e. fabric). It is desired that the fabric facilitates breathing of the skin so as to minimize moisture buildup from sweating of the mother at the breast. The material is also absorbent to allow it to act similarly to a bib by absorbing liquids as a result of feeding and engorgement. Another use of an absorbent material for slip 101 is the ability of the mother to use it in a pre-saturated manner wherein slip 101 may hold either warm or cold water. Pre-saturating the material with a cooling or heated liquid can help the mother in dealing with particular nursing conditions, such as mastitis and engorgement for example. A cloth material is ideally suitable for slip 101. The thickness of slip 101 is not limited to a particular thickness. Different materials may result in variation of thicknesses.

Referring now also to FIG. 3 in the drawings, a side view of slip 101 around a breast is illustrated. Slip 101 has a general cone shape that conforms to the shape of a breast. As seen in the front view of FIG. 1, slip 101 is generally circular around the perimeter of the outer circumference. It has an outer diameter 103 as depicted. A central opening 105 is formed around the approximate center of the slip. Opening 105 provides open access to areola 99 (see FIG. 3) while offering minimal coverage to nursing mothers. Infants are able to latch onto the nipple of the breast without interference from slip 101.

It should be known that slip 101 may be sized to correspond to the cup size of a woman. Women's breasts can adjust in size over time, such as between feedings. The material of slip 101 is configured to stretch and accommodate size fluctuations in the breast of the mother. Slip 101 does not need to cover the entire breast. It may cover all of the breast or some portion less. Different sizes of slip 101 are available for the mothers.

Slip 101 may include an attachment member 107 (see FIG. 1) which has one or more fasteners 109. Examples of fasteners may include snaps. Member 107 can be a strap. Member 107 is configured to assist in securing slip 101 to a particular location on the breast. Movement of the mother may cause slip 101 to potentially shift. Member 107 can detach at fastener 109 and wrap around a portion of bra 97. Slip 101 can be secured and repositioned within most chosen bra-like devices.

Referring now also to FIGS. 4 and 5 in the drawings, a side view of the breast supported within bra 95 and a front perspective view of a mother with slip 101 secured around her breasts are illustrated. As noted above, slip 101 is repositionable and securable by tucking edges comfortably into bottom/side nursing bras, tank tops, or other chosen bra-like devices. Nursing slip 101 also offers personalized fit and coverage by coming in multiple sizes. As seen in FIG. 4, slip 101 covers a good deal of the breast. Additionally, selection of a larger diameter 103 can help slip 101 travel up higher on the breast. In such embodiments, slip 101 may be secured in a couple different ways apart from member 107. For example, as seen in FIG. 4 a mother may locate a portion of slip 101 under a lower portion of bra 95, such that bra 95 overlaps slip 101. In another method, slip 101 may be tucked under a portion of strap 97 as seen in greater clarity in FIG. 5.

In summary, nursing slip 101 features an open access in the middle of the slip to access areola for nursing. The nursing slip provides a contoured coverage measurable to cleavage and in so doing, the nursing slip may vary in size. The nursing slip provides nursing mothers with minimal, simple coverage and comfortably remain within most nursing bras, nursing tank tops or other-bra like devices. These covers can be concealed under clothing. They can be removed and stored easily. The nursing slip is repositionable and securable by tucking edges comfortably into bottom/side nursing bras, tank tops, or other chosen bra-like devices. The slips may or may not include a strap, snap, or securable device to aid in convenience and security.

Stretch material nursing slips offer just enough stretch to accommodate marginal engorgement that naturally occurs in a lactating breast, however, they may come in a variety of materials. It is understood that slip 101 is ideally a machine washable material for reuse by the mother. Disposable versions, or one-time use applications of slip 101 are also conceived of.

In use a mother obtains a nursing slip and locates it over the breast such that opening 105 surrounds areola 99. The nursing slip acts as a barrier between the infant and the nursing breast outside of areola 99. Opening 105 permits exposure of the nipple sufficient for the infant to latch onto and feed. Feeding of the infant is done with the nursing slip covering the breast but not covering over the infant. A mother may optionally secure the nursing slip by either operating an attachment member around the bra strap or by tucking a portion of the nursing slip under a lower portion of the bra or behind the bra strap.

Another feature of slip 101 is the ability to work in conjunction with hands free pumping. Slip 101 can help to secure hands free pumping devices. A pump may be supported at the lower portion of the bra along the outside of slip 101 against the bra and slip 101, and then also pass through central opening 105 for support between the breast and slip 101. The location of slip 101 relative to the nipple may be adjusted as needed to facilitate proper support and pumping.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A nursing slip, comprising: a conically shaped material having a central opening, the central opening configured to surround an areola of a nursing breast; wherein the material is a barrier between an infant and the nursing breast apart from the areola.
 2. The nursing slip of claim 1, wherein the material is stretchable so as to adapt to size fluctuations of the nursing breast.
 3. The nursing slip of claim 1, further comprising: an attachment member configured to secure the material about the nursing breast.
 4. The nursing slip of claim 3, wherein the attachment member includes a strap and a fastener.
 5. The nursing slip of claim 3, wherein the attachment member is configured to wrap around a strap of a bra worn by a nursing mother.
 6. The nursing slip of claim 1, wherein the material is secured to the breast by a bra worn by a nursing mother.
 7. The nursing slip of claim 6, wherein the material is secured under a strap of the bra.
 8. The nursing slip of claim 6, wherein the material is secured under a lower edge of a cup of the bra.
 9. A method of breast feeding an infant, comprising: obtaining a nursing slip having a conical shape and formed from a material having a perimeter and a central opening; locating the nursing slip such that the central opening surrounds an areola of a nursing breast, a nipple of the nursing breast passing through the central opening; and exposing the nursing breast to the infant for feeding; wherein the nursing slip remains around the nursing breast during feeding of the infant from the nipple.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: securing the nursing slip around the nursing breast with an attachment member.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the attachment member includes a strap and a fastener.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the attachment member is configured to wrap around a strap of a bra worn by a nursing mother.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the nursing slip is secured to the breast by a bra worn by a nursing mother.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the material is secured under a strap of the bra.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the material is secured under a lower edge of a cup of the bra. 